When it pertains to handbags, we all know who the reigning kings and queens of the market are. As much fun as it is to check out new collections from big brands and gush over longtime favorites, we also believe in keeping a watchful eye on what’s next. In recent years, independent designers like Mansur Gavriel and Edie Parker have risen swiftly from relative obscurity, and we’ve got some ideas about what the next brands to have that kind of impact might be.
Elena Ghisellini
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Genoa-born Elena Ghisellini has serviced accessories for everyone from Ferragamo to Givenchy, and the current head of accessories at Emilio Pucci now designs for herself, too. Her bags are made in her home country of Italy, and they’ve got all of the fine leathers and exacting craftsmanship that go along with the country’s traditions. The designer also describes her bags as “sensual,” which you can see here and there in her embrace of curves.
Gabria Tote, $1,775 by means of Moda OperandiFatale Python Clutch, $1,195 by means of SaksPetra P Chevron Clutch, $995 by means of Saks
Les Petits Joueurs
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Italian-born, Brazil-based designer Mariasole Cecchi started out by rendering cute little party bags in actual Lego blocks; her trendy pals liked them so much that she now has a full-fledged brand. The bags are a favorite of street style stars for their particular brand of eye-catching cuteness. Bonus: they’re all still made by hand.
Grace Wow Lego Clutch, $676 by means of LUISAVIAROMAAndy Piano Lego Clutch, $825 by means of LUISAVIAROMAFreddy Panda Lego Backpack, $1,048 by means of LUISAVIAROMA
M2MALLETIER
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M2Malletier bags are created by Melissa Losada and Marcela Velez, who now run their studio out of Barcelona after meeting while students at Parsons in NYC. The two young designers combine minimalism and surrealism to create their signature aesthetic, which has roots in interior design and architecture. Although the brand launched its first collection in 2012, the clean-lined little bags with signature gold top handles swiftly became a favorite among fashion insiders.
M2MALLETIER Amor Fati Bag, $1,885 by means of Net-a-PorterM2MALLETIER Fleur du Mal Python Bag, $2,475 by means of Net-a-PorterM2MALLETIER Fabricca Clutch, $1,290 by means of Net-a-Porter
Moynat
Moynat is, quite frankly, the most elusive brand we’ve tried to pin down in quite a long time. The French house dates back to five years before Louis Vuitton, and its only boutiques are in London and Paris. (As you might guess, Moynat does not sell its bags online; its web site is about as bare-bones as a luxury site can get, although it does supply a gallery of bags.) The brand is a bit of an Hermès/Goyard hybrid in that it uses both traditional, finely carried out bags in solid leathers and exotics, as well as basic models and trunks in a signature print.
This brand is unlike the others in that it’s not new, but because customers at the top tier of the market are always trying to find the next ultra-exclusive find, expect Moynat to become much a lot more widely buzzed about this year. Sadly, price information is exceptionally scarce. the most recent price we could find was for the brand’s petite Réjane, one of its a lot of popular bags, at the brand’s London boutique: £3,120, or around $4,664.
Petite Réjane and Rejane BagsParadis top manage BagCabotin top manage Bag
Myriam Schaefer
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Myriam Schaefer was the accessory designer behind the famous Motorcycle Bag during Nicolas Ghesquiere’s days at Balenciaga, and now she’s out on her own. Schaefer appears to do few interviews, and her brand web site lacks a brand story or history, but we do know that they’re made in Italy and available through a few third-party stores.
Dino bucket Bag, $4,886 by means of MATCHESFASHION.COMMini Byron Crossbody Bag, $4,218 by means of MATCHESFASHION.COMJames Satin and Croc Crossbody Bag, $3,491 by means of MATCHESFASHION.COM
Paula Cademartori
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Paula Cademartori moved to Italy from her native Brazil to finish her fashion education, and after a stint working at Versace, she struck out on her own. The brand’s signature metal buckle is a nod to Cademartori’s history with jewelry design, and now that the brand’s bags have a solid foothold among fashion insiders, Cademartori is branching out to footwear.
Faye Bag, $2,410 by means of Net-a-PorterSylvie Clutch, $1,594 by means of MATCHESFASHION.COMAlice carry bag, $1,915 by means of MATCHESFASHION.COM